Meet the Power Players Behind the Pacific’s New Investment Boom! AI Tops the Agenda!

AI was among the key points at an Investor Readiness Startup Training last week in Nadi.

Strengthening Pacific Startups: Investor Readiness Training

Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) reports that a three-day Investor Readiness Startup Training & Investor Follow-On Training was hosted in collaboration with VentureWell and Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) from August 5-7, 2024. This event, held at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, brought together participants from across the Pacific, including Fiji, Tuvalu, and Papua New Guinea. The training aimed to empower young science and technology innovators through hands-on sessions led by U.S. experts, focusing on investments, financial models, and operational considerations.

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Global Expertise

The event featured notable guests, including U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Ms. Marie C. Damour, and Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, an expert in applied algorithmic ethics. Ambassador Damour emphasized the need to support green entrepreneurship in the Pacific, combining modern technology with indigenous knowledge. Dr. Chowdhury highlighted the importance of responsible AI, urging participants to develop inclusive solutions to address issues like gender-based violence and cultural biases.

Launch of the Pacific First Investment Network (PFIN)

The training culminated in the launch of the Pacific First Investment Network (PFIN), a new regional angel investor network aimed at promoting innovative financing in the Pacific region. PFIN seeks to support green entrepreneurship in Agriculture, STEM, and ICTs, with a focus on Women-led ventures aligned with the UN SDGs. The initiative is designed to derisk investments in MSMEs, enabling them to scale and grow while ensuring suitable returns for investors.

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